Former Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson has been drafted in by Cheltenham Town manager Keith Downing for a temporary coaching role.

Robinson will work alongside Downing for an initial month while assistant manager Bob Bloomer recovers from surgery to an Achilles injury.

Bloomer suffered the injury playing in a masters football tournament and underwent an operation to repair the damage last week. He is currently on crutches and therefore unable to spend long periods of time on the training field.

"Phil is someone I have known for a long time," said Downing.

"I played alongside him at Wolves in the late 80s and early 90s and he's had a long established career in professional football.

"He is a fully qualified coach and I'm delighted that he has agreed to help us out. He will be with us for an initial month to start with but it really depends upon how long Bob's injury takes to get right."

Robinson becomes the third member of the Wolves team that beat Cheltenham Town 5-1 in the FA Cup in 1987 to get a job with the Robins. Graham Turner's team triumphed in the first round match at Molineux and since then defender Ally Robertson, midfielder Downing (who scored in the match) and Robinson have all worked at Whaddon Road.

After leaving Wolves Robinson played for Notts County, Birmingham City (loan), Huddersfield Town, Northampton Town (loan), Chesterfield, Notts County again, Stoke City and Hereford United. His coaching career began with two years as assistant to Graham Turner at Hereford then a spell at Stafford Rangers, whom he guided to promotion back to the Blue Square Premier with a team that included former Robins legend Neil Grayson.

Cheltenham Town's players return from their closed season break tomorrow (July 1). Former Southend United and Port Vale striker Michael Husbands and ex Barnsley defender Rhys Meynell have been invited to join in with pre-season training.